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On March 21, 2016...

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for JoAnen that says:

I'm glad things are looking up for you. And I hope they continue to do so. Keep up the good work, spring and summer are coming soon so you will be ready. Have a very happy Easter. Don't over dose on those yummy jelly beans lol.

Christine Kline Thanks for the update. It is interesting to hear about the challenges you are facing the second time round. Sounds like your determination will get you through--and ... Read more

Christine Kline Thanks for the update. It is interesting to hear about the challenges you are facing the second time round. Sounds like your determination will get you through--and the plans for the get-together with your sisters on the Colorado!

On February 27, 2016...

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for JoAnen that says:

Hey JoAnen. That's rather sad news. I sure hope things straighten out for you and you can get on with your life again. They always said recovery isn't easy. You take care and get better.

I'm glad you are able to proceed with the pacemaker surgery. Prayers all goes well for you and you will be out of there soon. I feel for you - can't imagine just hanging out in the hospital waiting so you can have a procedure done. It's got to be frustrating. Hang in there! You will return home soon.

JoAnen Banzhaf So excited to be headed home soon. Maybe before I go back to work full time we can get together for lunch. Thanks for the prayers.

On February 9, 2016...

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for JoAnen that says:

Hi JoAnen I have been thinking about you. Glad everything is starting to looking good. You have been in my prayers. Gee we have the same badge of courage. That must make us sisters along with my daughter Stephanie. Say hello to Alaska for me. I love it there.

Good Morning guys, glad to hear there is a plan lined up for the pacemaker.
Step in the right direction from the sound of it. Thanks again for all the up dates.
Tell mom we love her and are thinking of her Clinton. You guys too!!!!
LOVE YOU,
Dave and Jerry

I'm glad to hear the good news. Been thinking about you all day. What is causing your valve to calcify so fast? Hope this one does good for you. Keeping the prayers going. God is good even the second time around. You take care.

Sounds like a busy day for sure. Make sure you keep everyone
lined out including Dick, which is a big job all by itself. :)
Hugs and prayers are headed your way and will be covering you up shortly.
Love you,
Dave and Jerry

Hi JoAnen Its getting pretty close again. I am keeping you in my prayers. Hope all the tests come out good and surgery too. Just cant believe it is so soon, its scary. Keep posting here I will be watching. Good luck.

Well glad to hear you made it safe and sound! This is Nick and I am reading your journal too. However, Sue is editing my note. hahahahahaha We are praying for you, your family and the doctors. Keep smiling!!!!! Fishing and moose season right around the corner!!!

I don't know what kind of valve her first one was, but her incision was only 4 inches long. She had it for 5 years. She had a hard time with her INR. It was up then down just couldn't regulate it. This time she was at Cleveland Clinic. Its still a mechanical valve called a top hat. I googled it and it does look like a little top hat. She is doing good now She has a little bit on this web site Her name is Stephanie Hillman (Spencer) She goes by both names. She is only 36 years old now. She hates taking coumadian but has gotten use to it and pretty know how much to take. Good luck to you, I will be here for you.

Wow! Just read your post. I hope it goes good for you. I have a question for you. Did you have plaque on your valve before surgery? I did and I always wondered if it would ever return. My daughter Stephanie just had her second surgery last year. She has a mechanical valve. Her first surgery five years ago was ok but had a 4 inch scar. The doctor doesn't know how they did it Now she has the bigger one like mine and is doing fine. I am fighting with insurance to see my cardiologist . I am suppose to have an echo but don't know yet. I hate insurance companies.

Anyway you take care and I will keep you in my prayers. Keep us posted. God is good even the second time around.

JoAnen Banzhaf They never used plaque when they described my aortic stenosis. They said calcific valve. What type of valve did your daughter have the first time? I will be ... Read more

JoAnen Banzhaf They never used plaque when they described my aortic stenosis. They said calcific valve. What type of valve did your daughter have the first time? I will be getting mechanical valve this time.

I sympathize with you about dealing with insurance. I have had to fight just to be able to see my cardiologist in Alaska. It is a stress no one needs but it seems pretty common.

Wishing you and your daughter the best.

Thanks for your support.

On December 23, 2015...

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for JoAnen that says:

Hi JoAnen. I just read your new post Wow. Hope it all goes good for you. I had my surgery 3 years ago as well. Its always in the back of my mind as it is probably with a lot of us. I am trying to see my cardiologist in Feb for my 6 month check up along with my yearly echo. Now I find myself fighting with the stupid insurance company. They don't realize how important it is to keep up with this. Good luck to you and keep us all informed. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family as well

JoAnen Banzhaf Hi Linda and Elsie,
I knew that you had surgery around the same time I did. I followed your posts. Can you tell me what valve you had? I was curious if they ... Read more

JoAnen Banzhaf Hi Linda and Elsie,
I knew that you had surgery around the same time I did. I followed your posts. Can you tell me what valve you had? I was curious if they might be the same kind. I took my records to my cardiologist here in Alaska and within a few days he scheduled another echo. The nurse wouldn't tell me why so I am trying to get an answer. I can tell that I am having more symptoms so I guess I have to get things figured out. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

On December 22, 2015...

Linda Conover posted a note for JoAnen that says:

I had to Google bioprosthetic valve calcific degeneration. What a shock! Glad you are home. Have a merry Christmas!!

JoAnen
This is wonderful to hear. Congratulations! For those of us recently out of surgery or awaiting surgery your health is really encouraging. I hope this year is even better! I am 6 weeks post op so I have a ways to go! Best.

You are amazing...and best of all, a good advocate for people facing this surgery! You are living proof that life post surgery is better than before!! I am SOOO proud of you!!...and of course I love you!!

JoAnen Banzhaf I get inspiration from what you have been through the past few years. It was much more than I faced. You gave me courage to face it. We come from a long line of tough people. I love you too!!!!

On March 2, 2013...

Thanks for sharing your journey with us! I am facing AVR surgery in May or June of this year and have been reading your postings with great interest. It is so helpful! I have a question. How was your flight home from Rochester, Minn. How long was each flight? I can't imagine sitting in those uncomfortable airplane seats for any length of time. I live in Vancouver, BC and have meetings in Maui In September. So, I am wondering about flying in two months post-op.

JoAnen Banzhaf Hi Chris,
The flights home after surgery were one of my biggest fears. When it came time to go home nothing would have stopped me but the one thing that made ... Read more

JoAnen Banzhaf Hi Chris,
The flights home after surgery were one of my biggest fears. When it came time to go home nothing would have stopped me but the one thing that made it bearable is that I flew First Class. I got seats in row 1 on each flight so I could really stretch out. I even put my feet up on bulkhead wall to help with swelling. Both flights were just about 4 hours each. I had gained about 25 pounds in water weight after surgery and was having major problems with swelling in my feet and legs. My shuttle ride to the airport was about 1 1/2 hours and then 3 hour wait for first flight. I wore compression stocking which helped for awhile. I did make sure that I was taking my pain meds on time. When I arrived in Anchorage I had another hour car ride. Total travel time from start to finish was about 14 hours. My feet hurt worse than my incision. First Class was the only way to go and I have never flown First Class before. I would say that flying to Maui 2 months after your surgery should be a piece of cake. Are you having your surgery close to your home or will you be flying for the surgery? I wish you the best of luck and I will follow your journey. If I can answer anything else just ask.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
JoAnen

Just read your wonderful report from yesterday. Good for you!!! Sounds like you are ready to go snow shoeing !!!!!
Sounds like you are about ready to enter some kind of competion - maybe the next Olympics LOL !!!
Robert & Loretta

Thanks for sharing your adventure. I took great solace from your courage and fearlessness! I know you are working hard and it sounds like you will recover well with your positive attitude and great "get up and go"!

My husband is scheduled for his valve replacement on Monday, Jan. 14th. Our journey on this path came on more suddenly that we expected.

I was moved by your story and we hope to have great tales to share soon too. I am worried about the recovery but you have said it is the fun part - I will share that with my husband!! Will be checking on on you - best of luck!!

JoAnen Banzhaf Hi Cathy,
I am glad that my story has helped. I read so many stories that got me through all of this. Please tell your husband it is so worth it because of ... Read more

JoAnen Banzhaf Hi Cathy,
I am glad that my story has helped. I read so many stories that got me through all of this. Please tell your husband it is so worth it because of the many years of life you are getting back. Just have a positive attitude and with you great care I am looking forward to excellent results. You both will be in my prayers.
JoAnen

JoAnen Banzhaf Thanks Sherry. I have gained my strength and attitude to a speed recovery from the many patients stories that I have followed. Best of luck on your continuing ... Read more

JoAnen Banzhaf Thanks Sherry. I have gained my strength and attitude to a speed recovery from the many patients stories that I have followed. Best of luck on your continuing recovery. I love this side of the journey.
Happy New Year
JoAnen

On January 2, 2013...

Happy Belated 57th Birthday! GOOD LUCK TO YOU! Thanks for sharing your experience. I am a 55 year old, active female, from WI. I go for my heart cath Jan.7; surgery will be scheduled after that. I guess I have the same as you; bicuspid aortic valve w/stenosis. I also had 3 stints put in in 2009. What symptoms did you get as your surgery time came closer? Guess i"m both ready but not at the same time, sure you know what I mean. I'm hoping for a great repair and to get back to my animals and family. Wishing you a long healthy future. Thank you Jeanne

JoAnen Banzhaf HI Jeanne,
I know exactly what you are going through because those memories have not faded yet. I had been getting in shape for Dall Sheep hunting. The end ... Read more

JoAnen Banzhaf HI Jeanne,
I know exactly what you are going through because those memories have not faded yet. I had been getting in shape for Dall Sheep hunting. The end of August I did several hikes around 2-4 miles with a 30 -50 pound pack. I did get out of breath but hadn't considered the AS. About a month after hunting I started noticing symptoms of chest heaviness and being light headed. It seemed to get worse by the day. The heaviness turned into pain and it occurred even when I wasn't working out.My cardiologist said it was time when I saw him in November. I heard from several people that being in good shape would make the recovery easier which it has. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks and I started on the treadmill a week ago when I made it home. I am doing 2-3 times for 30 to 45 mins per day. I haven't pushed real hard yet as I am not sure what my target heart rate should be. Do you have a journal as I would like to follow your progress? Where are you having you surgery at? What kind of animals do you have? Thanks for contacting me and if I can help let me know. I am sure you will do great, just keep a positive attitude as that made a big difference to me.
Big Hug and lots of prayers.
JoAnen

I am so happy that you are progressing well. I expect the fluid problem will be resolved and you will move on.

I went to the pool area here and got on the tread mill for a one hour workout last night. After 28 minutes the machine just shut down. No more power, lights, nothing. I tried to reset the power strip but it did not help. I apparently had a fuse blow on me. It was a little perturbing when I was really on a roll. I was cruising at 2.5 miles per hour and am expecting to go faster in the near future.

I am feeling really well however last night I was laying on the floor and I wasn't watching my new cat. He jumped off of the recliner and landed with all fours dead on my stomach, it was a bit of a shock for me.

May you continue to write in your journal and thanks for the help and encouragement as I draw from your success to strive for better things.

JoAnen Banzhaf Thanks Joe,
This was a special birthday and I know that you can understand why. It looks like I have some catching up to do to get where you are but I am working ... Read more

JoAnen Banzhaf Thanks Joe,
This was a special birthday and I know that you can understand why. It looks like I have some catching up to do to get where you are but I am working on it. How long did you wait before you could get in the pool? I had been doing a real good aerobics class in the pool at our club and miss it. I don't want to chance getting an infection though. You said that you live in Minnesota, which town? I went to college in Brooking,SD so ventured into MN some. I have been using a fitbit to keep track of my activity and calorie burn since last February. I have a little competition in me so I kept raising my goals to get ready for my Sheep hunt. I know am trying to get back to tose bench marks. I got a total of 4.13 miles in today which included 2 30 minute sessions on the treadmill, but I am only at 2.0 mph. It feels better each day. I have enjoyed hearing from you and comparing our recovery.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
It's going to be a great one.
JoAnen

On December 30, 2012...

I will try to clarify prior note. At 40 mg dosage, I dropped 15 pounds in 30 days, and cleared heart and lung fluids. Leg swelling cleared along the way, but never was the major concern. Reduced dosage to 20 mg daily, and have maintained fluid level for about 5 months.